Singer Susan Boyle has tried her hand at piping as she launched the countdown to the British Pipe Band Championships.

The Britain's Got Talent star is Chieftain of the event, which takes place in Bathgate in West Lothian on May 31.

The West Lothian Highland Games has secured the competition for West Lothian for a three-year period, with the first championship taking place in 2013.

More than 7,000 visitors came to see the 138 bands competing at last year's event.

Matt Purdie, president of the West Lothian Highland Games, said: "We are really looking forward to hosting the British Band Piping Championships in West Lothian for the second year running and it is a great honour to welcome Susan Boyle on board as Chieftain for 2014.

"Last year was a great success and we hope to build on that this year and in 2015, especially as for the first time we'll be holding the West Lothian Highland Games alongside the Championships which will provide fun for all the family."

Pipers from Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, Torphichen and Bathgate and West Lothian Schools pipe bands came together to launch the countdown to the championships, which will take place in the town's Meadow Park.

The West Lothian Highland Games will feature activities including highland dancing, solo piping and heavy athletics competitions.

Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band will also be hosting a festival of music in the evening and there will also be a ceilidh.

Councillor Tom Kerr, provost of West Lothian Council, said: "It's a real coup for West Lothian to host the British Pipe Band Championships and we are very excited about the event for 2014 and, of course, welcoming West Lothian's very own Susan Boyle - it's great to have her support for such a prominent event for the region.

"We are very much looking forward to welcoming bands and visitors from all over the world to West Lothian."